The Crucible : Youth Programs

Youth and Community Programs at The Crucible

This successful and exciting youth and community outreach programs expose people of diverse backgrounds to the arts and sciences through hands-on classes, workshops and events. We are dedicated to promoting empowering youth development practices and strengthening youth competencies in leadership, social relationships, self awareness, community involvement and skill building. We provide high quality and safe hands-on fine and industrial art making experiences. The Crucible actively encourages West Oakland residents and youth to get involved in our classes and events.

These programs include:

Youth field trips – reinforce learning in math, science and art
Youth workshops – customized learning experiences
Educational Response Vehicle (ERV) – a dynamic traveling classroom
Bike Fixathons – repairs for West Oakland cyclists
Earn-A-Bike Program – West Oakland youth learn mechanic skills and earn bikes
Scholarships and free tickets to events for West Oakland residents

2007 Youth Program Annual Report »

Take a peek at our Youth Classes »

Programs

Bike Fix-A-Thon Weekends
The Crucible offers Bike Fix-a-thon events the last Sunday of every month. These bike repair and maintenance workshops are free to any West Oakland resident under 18. This is an opportunity to learn more about how to fix and maintain your bicycle and to meet others interested in bicycling. Come join us for repairs on flats, brakes, chains and shifters as well as free studio tours! We may not be able to fix everything, but we'll do our best, and show you how to repair your own bike too!

A Bike Fix-A-Thon weekend

Our Youth Arts Program empowers young people

The Crucible offers youth ages 12-17 opportunities to learn about welding, blacksmithing, glass art and more with weekend intensive workshops, after school classes and lab sessions.

NEW THIS SPRING! During spring break, March 24-28, eight special half-day classes are scheduled, making it easy to choose a full-day or half-day experience. Take a look at our current classes »

Classes at The Crucible teach young people skills that build confidence, inspire creativity, and instill responsibility. All youth and Family Fun classes are designed for beginners and continuing students.

School and Community Field Trip Program The Crucible School and Community Field Trip Program provides youth and community members with high quality, hands-on art making experiences that support learning across subject areas. Participants learn about the processes, tools, materials and applications of the industrial arts, explore the role of art and industrial trades in human history, and are inspired to make connections between the arts and sciences.

The Crucible welcomes collaborating with schools and supports project based learning in our studio and outreach programs. We actively serve West Oakland youth to provide young people with empowering art experiences.

In the fall of 2004 The Crucible introduced ERV, our Educational Response Vehicle, to the Community. ERV is a restored 1960 International fire truck with a full metal shop on board. Demonstrations of glass flameworking, welding, torch cutting, casting and blacksmithing take place on the traveling ERV, which is also equipped with a crane and a 30 ft flamethrower. Since then, 10 school groups and a total of over 200 students have been exposed to the industrial arts through The Crucible’s School and Community Field Trip Program. If you are interested in having ERV visit your school, or arranging a field trip to our 56,000 square foot industrial arts facility, give us a call. Our School and Community Field Trip Program is rapidly growing and expanding, with a goal of involving over 2,000 participants this year.

For More Information on ERV »

ERV The Crucible's Educational Response Vehicle

Working on ERV out in the community

For more information on any of our youth or community programs, check our website or contact Youth and Community Manager, Kristy Alfieri, at kristy@thecrucible.org.

Exciting ways you can support our emerging Youth and Community Program:

Volunteer at The Crucible - Learn more »
Sponsor a youth workshop
Facilitate a field trip
Donate materials for youth and community programs
Join the Community Advisory Board
Sponsor a Youth or Youth Development Agency working in collaboration with The Crucible

For more information please call or email our Youth and Community Manager:
Kristy Alfieri at kristy@thecrucible.org or at (510) 444-0919 x113

Non-discrimination policy: The Crucible is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, gender, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation or physical disability.